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April 17, 2013

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CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – Five Virginia wrestling student-athletes have been named to the 2013 All-ACC Wrestling Academic Team, announced Wednesday by the conference office. Matt Snyder (R-Sr., Lewistown, Pa.) was named the ACC Wrestling Scholar-Athlete of the Year for the second straight year and earned a spot on the all-academic team for the fourth time in as many years.

Jon Fausey (R-Jr., Dalmatia, Pa.), Jedd Moore (R-Sr., Mount Vernon, Ohio), Mike Salopek (R-Sr., North Huntingdon, Pa.) and Derek Valenti (R-Sr., Newton, N.J.) also were named to the all-academic team. Fausey was chosen for the third time, while Moore, Salopek and Valenti each earned the distinction for the first time.

A kinesiology major, Snyder is a four-time All-ACC Wrestling Academic Team honoree who plans to attend medical school after completing his master’s degree. Snyder earned a 2013 ACC Postgraduate Scholarship – the only wrestler in the conference honored.

Snyder was a 2013 NCAA Wrestling Championship qualifier and finished one win shy of All-America status by reaching the tournament’s round of 12. A third-place finisher in the ACC Championships’ competitive 125-pound weight class, Snyder was ranked eighth nationally in both the final NCAA Coaches rankings and the RPI. He finished with a 22-9 record this past season and ended his career as Virginia’s ninth-ranked wrestler in total wins with 99. Snyder’s 32 falls ranks third in program history.

A kinesiology major, Fausey finished his year with a 30-10 record and made his third straight trip to the NCAA Championships. Fausey was the ACC runner-up at 174 pounds to earn an automatic bid to NCAAs. After three seasons Fausey owns a career record of 83-25.

Moore became the 14th All-American in program history this season and took sixth place at 157 pounds at the NCAA Championships. He finished the year with a 33-9 record as he concluded his Virginia career with 90 victories, which ranks 15th in the program annals. Moore currently is working on his master’s degree in environmental science.

A graduate student majoring in environmental science, Salopek went 14-7 this season while battling through an injury-plagued season. He finished second at 197 pounds in the ACC Championships and earned an automatic bid into the NCAA Championships. He also was the 2010 ACC champion at 184 pounds and a 2010 NCAA qualifier.

A 2011 All-American, Valenti wrapped up his career with 95 wins, which ranks 10th in UVa history. He was the ACC runner-up at 149 pounds this season and made his third appearance in the NCAA Championships. He finished his career with 52 dual wins – fourth in program history. Valenti currently is working on his master’s degree in environmental science.

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